Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton enjoyed a sunny Sunday afternoon at Monza where he led the Italian Grand Prix from start to finish. Valtteri Bottas completed the party for Mercedes by finishing in second, a long way ahead of Sebastian Vettel.
This was one where, at the beginning of the year, we were told it's possible this year's cars won't even be faster here (I believe Max said it) due to greater drag > lower top speed. I don't buy that that'll be the case - they'll trim the wings sufficiently if needs be - and the PU's have also been developed significantly since this time last year.
But equally, I doubt they'll be going 3 or 4 secs faster - more like 2, I'm guessing (and, as with everything this year, it is a bit of a guess).
For the race, it depends largely on what Ferrari bring in terms of PU and the extent to which the oil burning regulation has an effect on any or all teams. Given the straight line speed advantage Mercedes still had in Spa, it will have to be a big upgrade to bring them on terms, but, despite the amount of straight in Monza, I don't think there's a full throttle section as long as Euea Rouge/Radillion etc. at the end of which Ferrari seemed to be derating, which was a large part of their S1 deficit.
Given the chicanes in Monza - and impossibity of being completely flat through Parabolica- cars will still have to brake and hence recharge, so the derating should, bizarrely, be less of an issue.
I think we could still have a race on our hands, even if we accept that Mercedes are favourites.
I think we could still have a race on our hands, even if we accept that Mercedes are favourites.
Early forecast shows rain on both Friday and Saturday, so we might see some shuffles in the Quali order. If any of the top teams end up at the back of the grid, we should indeed have a nice race on our hands.
I think we could still have a race on our hands, even if we accept that Mercedes are favourites.
Early forecast shows rain on both Friday and Saturday, so we might see some shuffles in the Quali order. If any of the top teams end up at the back of the grid, we should indeed have a nice race on our hands.
Oh well if that's the case it changes everything. We don't know which car is best in the rain this year but I suspect it's the Ferrari with the red bulls getting much closer to the ultimate pace, but then Monza's kind of a different thing.
I think we could still have a race on our hands, even if we accept that Mercedes are favourites.
Early forecast shows rain on both Friday and Saturday, so we might see some shuffles in the Quali order. If any of the top teams end up at the back of the grid, we should indeed have a nice race on our hands.
Unfortunately that isnt a "race" according to my definition. I want to see the best 2-3 team battling each other, not one of the title contenders at the back of the grid severly handicapped and not "racing" with his true rivals...
It would make an entertaining race though...
Not for nothing, Rosberg's Championship is the only thing that lends credibility to Hamilton's recent success. Otherwise, he'd just be the guy who's had the best car. — bhall II #Team44 supporter
A win by Hamilton here will mean that he'd be leading the WDC for the first time in the season. I'm sure Ferrari will do everything they can to keep that from being the case. Hopefully it will be good race, but with the max trimmed out cars, following might be supremely difficult, Variante here is always fun.
A win by Hamilton here will mean that he'd be leading the WDC for the first time in the season. I'm sure Ferrari will do everything they can to keep that from being the case. Hopefully it will be good race, but with the max trimmed out cars, following might be supremely difficult, Variante here is always fun.
I think it's the other way round, because on Monza, most of the downforce (percentage wise) comes from the floor and wings and bits are less important, following another car gives less problems then at Silverstone for instance. Combined with the greater drag because of the wider cars, slipstreaming gives a bigger advantage.
I can see a few "do or die" locked up wheels overtakings in the chicanes all across the field coming
You only need two cars for a race. Is a race and an entertaining race a different definition or just contradicting yourself Phil. I think you mean my preference rather than definition/ideal world.
I'm happy that we get to see some sort of battle at the front instead of the race decided at the first corner and a silver car leading by 30 seconds but that's my preference.
You only need two cars for a race. Is a race and an entertaining race a different definition or just contradicting yourself Phil. I think you mean my preference rather than definition/ideal world.
I'm happy that we get to see some sort of battle at the front instead of the race decided at the first corner and a silver car leading by 30 seconds but that's my preference.
It's a slippery slope because when there were two silver cars, some weren't calling that a race either even though it still perfectly fit the definition. In the end a chance to compete in earnest is what makes a race exciting. I think what Phil is implying is that having to come from behind due to adversity isn't racing, it's mitigating a disadvantage and we've seen lots of that. Not fun.